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recent Clever Offers survey of 500 prospective buyers, 500 non‑buyers, and 804 agents paints a mixed picture of the 2026 housing market. While optimism is high—86 % of those planning to buy or sell expect a favorable year and 75 % of agents share that view—many still fear economic headwinds and a potential market collapse.
**Market outlook**
The majority of agents (63 %) anticipate greater stability in 2025‑26 compared to the past two years, and 70 % of buyers believe sellers will cover their agent’s commission, though only 45 % of sellers say they will. This mismatch could create friction for buyers. Despite the upbeat tone, 40 % of buyers and sellers worry that a housing market crash could derail their plans, and 60 % think the broader economy is headed for a downturn, with half expecting a recession or depression in 2026. These sentiments echo Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index, both indicating heightened anxiety.
**Affordability concerns**
Ninety‑three percent of respondents anticipate financial strain in 2026, citing inflation as the top worry. High costs for insurance, health care, and home maintenance also loom large. Forty percent fear they may not afford mortgage payments next year. Among buyers, roughly two‑thirds are concerned that rising home prices or a recession will postpone their purchase, and nearly half say they will need financial assistance. Sellers, meanwhile, rank preparing the home (40 %), negotiating offers (36 %), and navigating a high‑rate environment (35 %) as their biggest challenges, with overall economic conditions seen as the key determinant of sale speed.
**Agent perspective**
Agents feel secure in their careers and expect commission rates to remain steady. However, more than half foresee a tougher closing environment than in 2025, partly due to a shrinking client pool. About half of buyers and sellers anticipate working without an agent in 2026, a rise from last year. Agents also believe listing prices will have a larger impact on how quickly homes sell than other factors.
**Bottom line**
The survey reveals a paradox: widespread optimism about 2026’s market prospects coexists with significant concerns over economic uncertainty, affordability, and potential market downturns. Buyers and sellers are braced for inflation and higher living costs, while agents remain hopeful yet cautious about future transactions. The coming year will likely test whether the market can sustain its optimism amid these challenges.
